“Studying abroad can be a tough, challenging and excruciatingly expensive decision but imagine how even more complicated things can be when married, have two beautiful kids, a stable job and a house to call home?
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My story is all about living life with No Regrets. Hi, I am Don Bosco, currently pursuing Master in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand and former HOD Political Science at Holy Child School, Tagore Garden.
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When I decided to leave for New Zealand, all I knew was that I wanted a better future and standard of living for my family and have no regrets for not trying. I decided to go alone first, try to settle and figure out things. Initially, everything was terrifying. My wife and kids were staying alone back in Delhi on rented accommodation, and other family members were not very supportive of our decision to leave a permanent job and move abroad. Apart from this, being an Indian, we are in the habit of mingling around, be it in our neighbourhood or workspace, but here, things are different. People are welcoming but coming home to an empty apartment, and no one to talk to or share the day in and out experiences can be tormenting.
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I had always heard from students and friends studying abroad about how difficult it is to manage studies and a part-time job, but now, I was living that kind of life. The best thing about working part-time was that the salary is credited in the bank account every week. Also, one of the tasks I had upon my shoulders was looking for the right kind of accommodation as I am a family man and wanted to bring my kids and wife overseas in some time. As a Bachelor, you can adjust with any accommodation but being with a family guy, you have to look into all kinds of aspects.
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Master in International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Canterbury is a Level 09 course which allows an immigrant to stay back in New Zealand for three years post completion of the course. The course emphasis is on high-end research and consists of almost eight to nine sessions with the faculty per semester. It also includes Research proposals and dissertation. So at the moment, I am researching Indo-China relations and studying about Fiji-India relations and Human Rights. International relations do not possess a fixed extension but is continuously changing with context to the global political environment and current nation-state undertakings. The methodologies used for study can focus on data and methods that are valid today but may not be undercurrent later. So, we can say that the course is extremely dynamic in nature and study. We have also been appointed a Supervisor to help map our progress from time to time and provide with necessary suggestions, guidance and mentorship wherever needed.
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In India, we learn by cramping from books or by making notes, but here everything is very technologically advanced. I witnessed a significant leap in technological advancements from the time I was in college. No one carried heavy fat books to the classes but tablets or laptops to study from. On top of that, our course covered a skilled trip to ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs’, and later we even got a chance to meet Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Winston Peters. The trip gave us an insight onto how things work at ground level and were very encouraging.
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There are plenty of job opportunities available in New Zealand and that too if you have a particular skill set with a professional degree. When my wife joined me after five months, she found a job within fifteen days in one of the leading Australian companies. With her working fulltime and me working part-time, we were able to manage our expenses easily. Our monthly expenditure is around 700 to 800 NZD for rent and 350 to 400 NZD for food and other essential utilities. As far as education and health facilities are considered, they are provided by the Government of NZ, which is an additional benefit of moving here.
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My advice to the people planning to move abroad would be to do thorough research, make the internet your best friend and invest smartly. It is the decision of a lifetime. Also, Stop running after money and start chasing your passion as later in life you may not get up with a chance to pursue them”.
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Mr Don Bosco was previously also awarded with a ‘Letter of Appreciation’ by Smriti Irani, former Minister of Education for commendable performance by his students in class XII boards.
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